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The Rugby Football Union is set to follow Wales’ lead and axe their head coach a little more than nine out from the Rugby World Cup in France, with Eddie Jones’ fate set to be revealed over the next 48 hours.
On Monday night, the Welsh Rugby Union announced they had ended their association with Wayne Pivac and reappointed his New Zealand compatriot Warren Gatland.
The moment Wales surrendered a 21-point lead against the Wallabies to lead their ninth Test from 12 matches the writing was on the wall for Pivac. The 39-34 defeat came a week after losing to Georgia – their second defeat to a side outside World Rugby’s top 10 in 2022.
As Pivac was shown the door, Jones was presenting to a RFU panel, headed by chief executive Bill Sweeney, in an attempt to save his job with England after winning just five of 12 Tests – their worst output in 14 years, which saw the Red Roses booed off Twickenham following their 27-13 loss to the Springboks last month.
The Daily Mail is reporting the RFU panel will present their findings to the board on Tuesday and conclude that Jones’ tenure is untenable.
Jones’ former right-hand man Steve Borthwick, who led Leicester Tigers to a stunning Premiership victory earlier this year, remains the favourite to take over immediately should the Australian be sacked. It is understood Jones would welcome Borthwick joining him, with the duo previously working together for the 2019 and 2015 World Cup campaigns.
Eddie Jones’ tenure with England is still hanging in the balance. Photo: Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images
Jones, who led England to the World Cup final in 2019 and has won three Six Nations, including a Grand Slam in 2016, has a 73 per cent win record – the highest in English history.
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The RFU must consider whether sacking Jones, whose record at World Cups is outstanding (82%), is the right option so close to the World Cup.
An official decision is expected on Wednesday.
Gatland, meanwhile, returns to the post he held with Wales between 2008 and 2019.
During his more than decade association with Wales, Gatland oversaw four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams, reached two World Cup semi-finals and briefly saw the country reach the summit of the World Rugby rankings.
Gatland, who coached the Lions against South Africa (2-1 series loss), New Zealand (draw, 2017) and Australia (2-1 series win), will leave the Chiefs with immediate effect, having taken over following their 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat in Japan.
Warren Gatland will coach Wales at the 2023 World Cup after Wayne Pivac was sacked. Photo: David Davies/PA via AP
The veteran coach will once again face the Wallabies in their World Cup pool, having beaten the two-time World Cup champions in 2019 to put a major dent in their aspirations in Japan.
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“This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby,” Gatland said, in a statement released by the WRU.
“Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“There is little time for sentiment. Professional sport is all about preparation, values and results.
“There will be new challenges, as there always is with a change in head coach, but for me the environment, the players and their families will always come first.
“We must prepare to the best of our ability in the time available. We will value and respect each other, we will work hard and, if we get this right together, performances and results will follow.”
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Pivac, who won the Six Nations in 2021 and came close to a series victory in South Africa in July, said he was “extremely sad” to be sacked.
“It was a speedy review process, post-autumn series, as time is of the essence with the Six Nations fast approaching,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the results or performances this year were not all as we hoped. As a group we all take responsibility for that, but me in particular as head coach.
“We have played some really good rugby at times, but needed to do that more consistently. However, I know that there is a strong foundation for the squad to progress to great things in the future.”
